PROVIDENCE – Adriana Dawson has been appointed the state director for the R.I. Small Business Development Center, RISBDC announced late Thursday.

Dawson has been serving as interim state director since September 2011, when she took over for former director John Cronin.

“Adriana was our top choice because of the wealth of experience she brings to this position and her deep ties in the small business community,” Jeffrey Senese, vice president of academic affairs at Johnson & Wales University.

“Her leadership and success in bringing our faculty and students together to work with local businesses and organizations has greatly enhanced the educational experience at the university,” added Senese.

Prior to her position as interim state director, Dawson held the positions of associate state director and regional director with RISBDC.

She is a board member of the International Charter School, the Rhode Island Latino Policy Institute and is active with the Providence Economic Development Partnership Loan Committee.

In 2008, Dawson was named one of Providence Business News’ 40 Under Forty.

“I am honored to be given the opportunity to lead the R.I. Small Business Development Center and continue to serve the small businesses of this state in this new capacity," said Dawson.

“I look forward to working with our network partners, the R.I. SBA District Office and our host institution, Johnson & Wales University, to fully align our RISBDC resources and generate the kind of economic impact that will continue to assist R.I. with its recovery efforts,” she added.

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